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BC Municipal Safety Association - News & Updates
WorkSafe News – January 12, 2012
New Occupational Health and Safety Regulation amendments have been approved by the WorkSafeBC Board of Directors, and take effect February 1, 2012. MANY of these changes will greatly impact your Safety Programs, and safe work procedures. These include amendments to:
- Part 6, Substance-Specific Requirements – Asbestos-containing material definition (from 1% to 0.5%)
- Part 9, Confined Spaces – new requirements for qualified atmospheric tester
- Part 12, Tools, Machinery and Equipment – related to mobile chippers
- Part 15, Rigging – relating to wire rope splices
- Part 16, Mobile Equipment – relating to sitting on the back of a moving vehicle while removing traffic cones
Read it online at http://www2.worksafebc.com/enews/120112/120112.htm
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April is Safe Digging Month!
In case you are interested in promoting this in your municipality with a Proclamation, we have created the document you can use.
Safe Dig Proclamation
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PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE WORKERS COMPENSATION ACT
On November 3, the Provincial government introduced Bill 14 – Workers Compensation Amendment Act, 2011. Included in the provisions of this Act were amendments to Section 5.1 (1) (a).
Under the provisions of the current Act, workers are entitled to compensation for mental stress where the mental stress is “an acute reaction to a sudden and unexpected traumatic event”. In other words, what triggered the stress came from a single traumatic incident.
The proposed changes allow for claims for mental stress where the mental stress is “a reaction to (i) one or more traumatic events arising out of and in the course of the worker’s employment, or (ii) a significant work-related stressor, or a cumulative series of significant work-related stressors, arising out of and in the course of the worker’s employment”. This change would significantly broaden when claims for mental stress would be paid.
Bill 14 was not called for Second Reading in the recently adjourned session of the legislature. It is expected that the Bill will be called in the Spring session. Employers who have concerns on this significant change have until then to get their concerns registered with the provincial government.
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2011 City of Excellence Award
It’s time to gather your information and nominate your organization for the 2011 City of Excellence Award!
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Driver Training (on-line)
BCMSA has teamed up with the Thinking Driver to offer on-line driver training including such topics as Defensive Driving Techniques, Defensive Driving Attitudes, Winter Driving and Safe Backing. Discounted prices for these courses are available for BCMSA members (including a sliding scale for multiple registrations).
Check out course descriptions and prices on our Training & Events page; contact Helga at hhildebrandt@bcmsa.ca to register for courses.
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BCMSA Staff Announcement
We are VERY pleased to announce that effective January 9, 2012, Chelsea Steinfeld will be the new Audit and Training Services Manager for the BC Municipal Safety Association. Chelsea has been on the Board of Directors of the BCMSA since 2008, most recently as our Treasurer.
Chelsea comes to us from the Township of Langley, where she played a major role in that organization’s Safety Management System, and recently successful Certificate of Recognition audit. Chelsea is a graduate of the BCIT OH&S Program, and worked in Health Care before beginning her health and safety career in the municipal sector.
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BCMSA 2012 Meeting Dates
- March 9: Annual General Meeting (elections to be held), followed by Regular General Meeting – Delta
- June 8: Regular General Meeting – location to be determined
- September 21: Regular General Meeting – Delta
- December 7: Regular General Meeting – Delta
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Shift Into Winter
“The Cold War is Back” is the new creative theme for the 2011-2012 Shift Into Winter campaign.
Every day thousands of BC workers risk being injured or killed while driving on the job. Driving in winter conditions can put these workers at even greater risk. According to ICBC data, crashes — caused by speed relative to the conditions — for all driver populations double between October and December. WorkSafeBC and members of the Shift Into Winter Alliance (ICBC, the RCMP, the BCAA Road Safety Foundation, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, the BC Road Builders Association, the BCTA, Trucking Safety Council and others) recommend that the best way for everyone to stay safe on the roads this winter is to avoid driving when road and weather conditions are bad. If one must drive — often the case for commercial and occupational drivers — they should drive smart (through driver behaviour, a winter-ready vehicle, effective travel planning and other actions).
There is a wealth of winter driving safety information available at http://www.shiftintowinter.ca/ , if you are interest in finding out more about the campaign and how you might promote it within your organization.
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NAOSH Week Award Winners – Regional Government
Squamish Nation was presented the Regional Government Award at the 2011 NAOSH Awards Forum & Luncheon held on October 20th. Cathy Cook, Executive Director of the BCMSA presented the award to Doreen Maruska (front center) and her team. NAOSH Week Steering Committee – BC President, Tanya Steele (back row right), was also present.
Squamish Nation also won in the Best New Entry category. Well done!
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NAOSH Week Award Winners – Local Government
Congratulations to the City of Kamloops! They were presented with the Local Government Award at the 2011 NAOSH Awards Forum and Luncheon on October 20th.
Pictured (l-r): Alisha Beday, Corporate Planning & Emergency Coordinator, City of Kamloops; Cathy Cook, Executive Director, BCMSA; Tanya Steele, President, NAOSH Week Steering Committee – BC; Jennie Inkster, Safety Coordinator, City of Kamloops.
City of Kamloops also won in the Best Presentation of Theme category.
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